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Uganda facts

UGANDA FACTS

Uganda gained Independence from the United Kingdom on October 9, 1962

Total Area: 241,038 sq km

Borders: Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania

Natural Resources: Copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land and gold

Population: 34-35 million with 4.7% being Acholi

Population below Poverty line: Nationally 35%, Northern Uganda 65%

Median Age of Population: 15.1 yrs

Life Expectancy: 53.24 yrs

GDP: $17,010,765,767 USD

Currency: Ugandan Shilling

(CIA Factbook)


A reminder: Kony now is in the jungles of Congo, creating havoc and heart-ache there, just as he did here in Northern Uganda and in South Sudan. Here's one NGO's take on the last two decades of conflict:

OVER 2 DECADES OF CONFLICT

The conflict in Northern Uganda is one of the longest running conflicts in Africa and has spread to neighbouring countries. The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) was created in 1986 to fight a spiritual war on behalf of the Acholi people. It is led by Kony Joseph and its original goal was to overthrow the Museveni Government and replace it with one based on the biblical ten commandments. In recent years, this political motivation has been questioned.

In the early nineties, the LRA began large scale abductions and attacks against Acholi civilians. In total, 1 in 3 boys and 1 in 6 girls were abducted in Northern Uganda; for a total of 66,000 children. These children were forced to take up arms against their communities and innocent civilians. They were forced to serve as sex slaves, labourers and porters. At the peak of the conflict over 1.8 million people or 80% of the population were internally displaced, living in camps. This led to disruptions in education, the provision of services and economic activity; with many people forced to live off begging.

The 2006 ceasefire and Juba Peace Talks increased hope amongst the people, and large scale movement from the camps began in 2008. Unfortunately, Kony refused to sign the Final Agreement in 2008 and the LRA is continuing with their abductions and attacks in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and South Sudan.

The Acholi people continue to hope for a resolution to this conflict, and believe that peace will come from mediation rather than military action.

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